The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid

A Memoir

By: Bill Bryson

Narrated by: Bill Bryson

Length: 7 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Bill Bryson was born in the middle of the American century, 1951, in the middle of the United States, Des Moines, Iowa, in the middle of the largest generation in American history, the baby boomers. As one of the best and funniest writers alive, his is perfectly positioned to mine his memories of a totally all-American childhood for 24-carat memoir gold. Like millions of his generational peers, Bill Bryson grew up with a rich fantasy life as a superhero. In his case, he ran around his house and neighborhood in an old football jersey with a thunderbolt on it and a towel about his neck that served as his cape, leaping tall buildings in a single bound and vanquishing awful evildoers (and morons) in his head as "The Thunderbolt Kid".

Using this persona as a springboard, Bryson recreates the life of his family and his native city in the 1950s in all its transcendent normality, at once completely familiar to us all and as far away and unreachable as another galaxy. Warm and laugh-out-loud funny, and full of his inimitable, pitch-perfect observations, The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid is as wondrous an audiobook as Bill Bryson has ever recorded. It will enchant anyone who has ever been young.

©2006 Bill Bryson (P)2006 Random House, inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This affectionate portrait wistfully recalls the bygone days of Burns and Allen and downtown department stores, but with a good-natured elbow poke to the ribs." (Booklist)

Definitely, my childhood!

Mr. Bryson definitely captured childhood of the 50s. This is a laugh out loud accounting of my childhood.

Bryson is simply marvelous here!

The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid has been one of the most enjoyable listens of the year in our household. He is funny, poignant, and relevant in depicting life in a long lost era. We also grew up in the Upper Midwest, Minnesota. So, much of what Bryson has to say applies to anyone in the Midwest. But anyone interested in what life was like back then, in sharp contrast to today, would enjoy this. Bravo!

They were the best of times

Bryson touched a place in both my heart and my soul by allowing me to re-live a most wonderful time in my life. The 50's and 60's were certainly the best of times. If you are now reaching your "golden years," this book will help you live again in both the author's memories and your own. A must read in these turbulent times.

The 1950's all over again

If you could sum up The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid in three words, what would they be?

Small Town Remembrances

What did you like best about this story?

The great storytelling and the vibrant way he brings growing up in small town, middle America to life in the 1950s.

What does Bill Bryson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Since this is his life and his experience, having him deliver the story brought a certain passion and depth to the story that just reading it might miss.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Bill talks about his dad, the Des Moines Register sportswriter, and his unique ability to be at the right place at the right time and to tell wonderful sports history stories. These are stories that were bigger than life in the 50s, and often Bill was taken along for the trip with his dad - given the chance to "be there" and to meet legends of baseball.

Any additional comments?

Growing up during this time brought up feelings of nostalgia as well as brought things to memory we have not thought about for years. Bill has a keen eye for observation, and wonderful ability with language, and an ability to find the humor in many situations. Whether this would hit the same reaction in someone who has not grown up nor experienced mid-west America in this era, I don't know. It certainly was a wonderful trip down memory lane for us.

Great Roadtripping story

It was the perfect book to listen to on a road trip back to Iowa

Endearing Bryson

Bill Bryson. This book is everything one would expect if you know & love the author. His prose, his encyclopedia-like brain, his dry humor, even his intonations of his own writings. One loves to hear his first adventures he dares share his own story, and how it shaped him as an author & person! Worthwhile !

Great

Going back to being a kid, and nice that Bill read it himself, adds personal touch to the book.
Like most of his stuff he does pop into a negative spot here and there,
mostly when he brings up the politics of the time, but over all a great book.

Possibly my favorite of all time

Having also been born in 1951, so many of the toys, movies, foods and stories brought back memories long forgotten. I grew up in California in a small town Bill Bryson incidentally visited for one of his early books. Although half-way across the country, life in the 1950s was so similar. We also had a Rambler during childhood which was pretty popular then but why? I have listened to the audiobook of the Thunderbolt Kid several times. I still laugh out loud at so many of the stories. If you miss this book you really miss out.

Back to my childhood

Great for anyone over 65 for ride down memory lane. Also if you have a sense of humor

Funnier than heck

Wow…so many memories bubbling up! Listen to this on our way to vacation. Tears streaming down that I thought we must stop listening fearing a car accident. He describes the meals, schools to clear depiction with such humor. Will suggest to my siblings !